Dahlia plant named ‘G13518’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Dahlia  plant named ‘G13518’, characterized by its compact, upright and mounding plant habit; vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit; dense and bushy appearance; very dark green-colored leaves; early and freely flowering habit; and semi-double type inflorescences with apricot and yellow-colored ray florets.

Botanical designation: Dahlia variabilis.

Cultivar denomination: ‘G13518’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Dahlia plant, botanically known as Dahlia variabilis and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘G13518’.

The new Dahlia plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Bellefonte, Pa. The objective of the breeding program is to create new vigorous Dahlia plants that have dark-colored leaves, large attractive inflorescences and reduced sensitivity to Powdery Mildew.

The new Dahlia plant originated from a cross-pollination in Bellefonte, Pa. in October, 2012 of a proprietary selection of Dahlia variabilis identified as code number 3169-1-5M-2, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with a proprietary selection of Dahlia variabilis identified as code number 3169-1-5M-1, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Dahlia plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant from within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse environment in Bellefonte, Pa. in July, 2013.

Asexual reproduction of the new Dahlia plant by vegetative terminal cuttings in a controlled greenhouse environment in Bellefonte, Pa. since August, 2013 has shown that the unique features of this new Dahlia plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Dahlia have not been observed under all possible combinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditions such as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘G13518’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘G13518’ as a new and distinct Dahlia plant:

-   -   1. Compact, upright and mounding plant habit.     -   2. Vigorous growth habit.     -   3. Freely branching habit; dense and bushy appearance.     -   4. Very dark green-colored leaves.     -   5. Early and freely flowering habit.     -   6. Semi-double type inflorescences with apricot and         yellow-colored ray florets.

Compared to plants of the female parent selection, plants of the new Dahlia differ primarily in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Dahlia have semi-double type inflorescences         whereas plants of the female parent selection have single type         inflorescences.     -   2. Plants of the new Dahlia and the female parent selection         differ in ray floret color as ray florets of plants of the         female parent selection are uniformly yellow in color.

Compared to plants of the male parent selection, plants of the new Dahlia differ primarily in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Leaves of plants of the new Dahlia are darker in color than         leaves of plants of the male parent selection.     -   2. Plants of the new Dahlia and the male parent selection differ         in ray floret color as plants of the male parent selection have         bright rose pink-colored ray florets.

Plants of the new Dahlia can be compared to plants of Dahlia ‘Mystic Fantasy’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,417. In side-by-side comparisons conducted in Bellefonte, Pa., plants of the new Dahlia differed primarily from plants of ‘Mystic Fantasy’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Dahlia were more freely branching than         plants of ‘Mystic Fantasy’.     -   2. Leaves of plants of the new Dahlia were lighter in color than         leaves of plants of ‘Mystic Fantasy’.     -   3. Plants of the new Dahlia had semi-double type inflorescences         whereas plants of ‘Mystic Fantasy’ had single type         inflorescences.

Plants of the new Dahlia can be compared to plants of Dahlia ‘HDLE105’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,053. In side-by-side comparisons conducted in Bellefonte, Pa., plants of the new Dahlia differed primarily from plants of ‘HDLE105’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Leaves of plants of the new Dahlia were lighter in color than         leaves of plants of ‘HDLE105’.     -   2. Plants of the new Dahlia had semi-double type inflorescences         whereas plants of ‘HDLE105’ had single type inflorescences.     -   3. Plants of the new Dahlia and ‘HDLE105’ differed in ray floret         color as plants of ‘HDLE105’ had light yellow-colored ray         florets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Dahlia plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Dahlia plant.

The photograph on the right side of the sheet is a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘G13518’ grown in a container.

The photograph on the left side of the sheet is a close-up view of a typical flowering plant of ‘G13518’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and the following observations and measurements describe plants grown during the spring and summer in 10-cm containers in an outdoor nursery in Bonsall, Calif. and under cultural practices typical of commercial potted Dahlia production. During the production of the plants, day temperatures averaged 24° C., night temperatures averaged 10° C. and light levels ranged from 7,000 to 10,000 foot-candles. Plants were pinched two times and were 13 weeks old when the photographs and description were taken. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2007 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Dahlia variabilis ‘G13518’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Proprietary selection of Dahlia             variabilis identified as code number 3169-1-5M-2, not             patented.         -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Proprietary selection of Dahlia             variabilis identified as code number 3169-1-5M-1, not             patented. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—By vegetative terminal cuttings.         -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About 7 to 10 days at             ambient temperatures about 22° C. to 27° C.         -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About 10 to 14 days at             ambient temperatures about 18° C. to 23° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted plant, summer.—About three to four             weeks at ambient temperatures about 22° C. to 27° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted plant, winter.—About four weeks at             temperatures about 18° C. to 23° C.         -   Root description.—Medium in thickness, fleshy and fibrous;             close to white to creamy white in color, actual color of the             roots is dependent on substrate composition, water quality,             fertilizers, substrate temperature and age of roots; tuber             development has not been observed on plants of the new             Dahlia.         -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching; medium density. -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Compact, upright and mounding plant             form; rounded inverted triangle; freely branching habit with             about 14 lateral branches developing per plant, each lateral             with potentially two secondary laterals developing per node;             pinching enhances lateral branch development; inflorescences             held above the foliar plane on strong peduncles; bushy and             dense appearance; vigorous growth habit.         -   Plant height.—About 24.5 cm.         -   Plant diameter or spread.—About 25 cm.         -   Lateral branches.—Length: About 22.5 cm. Diameter: About 5             mm to 8 mm. Internode length: About 2.4 cm. Strength:             Strong. Aspect: Erect to somewhat outwardly spreading.             Texture: Scattered and sparse pubescence; woody with             development. Luster: Matte. Color, developing: Close to             187A. Color, developed: Close to 199C. -   Leaf description:     -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite; simple.         -   Length.—About 5.5 cm.         -   Width.—About 4 cm.         -   Shape.—Elliptical to oval.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Attenuate.         -   Margin.—Crenate to serrate.         -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate.         -   Texture, upper surface.—Smooth, glabrous.         -   Texture, lower surface.—Scattered and sparse pubescence;             prominent venation.         -   Luster, upper and lower surfaces.—Matte.         -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to 203B.             Developing leaves, lower surface: Slightly more green than             N189B. Fully expanded leaves, upper surface: Darker than             147A; venation, close to 183B. Fully expanded leaves, lower             surface: Close to 147B; venation, close to N137B.         -   Petioles.—Length: About 2.8 cm. Diameter: About 4 mm.             Strength: Strong. Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth,             glabrous. Luster, upper and lower surfaces: Glossy. Color,             upper surface: Close to 200A. Color, lower surface: Close to             200B. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Appearance and arrangement.—Semi-double inflorescence form             with ray florets forming acropetally on a receptacle;             inflorescences positioned above the foliar plane on strong             peduncles; inflorescences face mostly upright to outwardly;             freely flowering habit with about 34 inflorescence buds and             open inflorescences at one time.         -   Fragrance.—None detected.         -   Time to flower.—Early flowering habit, plants begin             flowering about five weeks after planting; plants flower             continuously from late spring through the autumn in Southern             California.         -   Post-production longevity.—Inflorescences maintain good             substance for about five days on the plant; inflorescences             persistent.         -   Inflorescence buds.—Height: About 2.2 cm. Diameter: About             1.4 cm. Shape: Ovoid. Color: Close to N199C.         -   Inflorescence size.—Diameter: About 5.6 cm. Depth (height):             About 2.8 cm. Disc diameter: About 2.2 cm.         -   Receptacles.—Height: About 1.1 cm. Diameter: About 3 cm.             Shape: Flattened bowl-shape. Color: Close to N199B.         -   Ray florets.—Quantity per inflorescence: About nine to ten             arranged in one to two whorls. Length: About 2.8 cm. Width:             About 1.5 cm. Shape: Oval to nearly round. Apex: Emarginate.             Base: Attenuate. Margin: Entire. Aspect: Initially upright             to roughly perpendicular to the peduncle; somewhat concave.             Texture, upper surface: Shallowly ridged, glabrous. Texture,             lower surface: Smooth, glabrous. Luster, upper and lower             surfaces: Matte. Color: When opening, upper surface: Close             to N167C to N167D. When opening, lower surface: Close to             165C. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to 163B tinted with             close to 167C. Fully opened, lower surface: Close to 162A to             162B.         -   Disc florets.—Quantity per inflorescence: About 84. Length:             About 1.4 cm. Diameter: About 3 mm. Shape: Tubular,             elongated; apices acute. Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Luster:             Somewhat glossy. Color, when opening: Apex: Close to N167A.             Mid-section: Close to N167C. Base: Close to 147C. Color,             fully opened: Apex: Close to N170A. Mid-section: Close to             N167C. Base: Close to 147C.         -   Phyllaries.—Quantity per inflorescence: About 15 arranged in             two whorls; inner whorl with ten phyllaries and outer whorl             with five smaller phyllaries. Inner whorl: Length: About             1.5 cm. Width: About 6 mm. Shape: Oblong to broadly             lanceolate. Apex: Acute. Base: Truncate. Margin: Entire.             Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Luster,             upper and lower surfaces: Satiny, matte. Color, upper             surface: Close to N199B. Color, lower surface: Close to             N199C. Outer whorl: Length: About 8 mm. Width: About 4 mm.             Shape: Elliptical. Apex: Acute. Base: Truncate. Margin:             Entire. Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous.             Luster, upper and lower surfaces: Satiny, matte. Color,             upper surface: Darker than 147A. Color, lower surface: Close             to 203B.         -   Peduncles.—Length, terminal peduncle: About 8.4 cm.             Diameter: About 2 mm. Aspect: Mostly erect. Strength:             Strong. Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Luster: Matte. Color:             Close to 200A.         -   Reproductive organs.—Present on disc florets only; ray             florets without visible reproductive organs. Androecium:             Quantity per floret: Five. Filament length: About 2 mm.             Filament color: Close to 145D. Anther shape: Lanceolate.             Anther length: About 2.5 mm. Anther color: Close to 163B.             Pollen amount: Moderate. Pollen color: Close to 17A.             Gynoecium: Quantity per floret: One. Pistil length: About             9 mm. Style length: About 4 mm. Style color: Close to 15B.             Stigma shape: Tri-parted. Stigma color: Close to 15B. Ovary             color: Close to 145D.         -   Seeds and fruits.—Seed and fruit development have not been             observed on plants of the new Dahlia. -   Disease & pest resistance: Plants of the new Dahlia have not been     observed to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to Dahlia     plants. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Dahlia plant named ‘G13518’ as illustrated and described. 